Concordia University Issues Phishing E-mail Alert

Canada-based Concordia University's IITS (Instructional and Information Technology Services) has issued an alert to users for being vigilant about phishing e-mails, which presently doing the rounds, are targeting their inboxes, published www.concordia.ca dated March 5, 2012.

Reportedly, it was March 3, 2012, when IITS first spotted the spoofed electronic mail, which claims as being sent from Help.Desk@concordia.ca. The message body tells the recipient that his e-mail quota is now saturated, so he requires copying a given web-link and pasting it followed with completing the requested information so he can continue using his account.

Below the message is also a URL named http:///fur.ly/0//concordiacahelpdesk1.

Moreover, the phishing message tries to sound lawful and genuine, hence it signs off from Concordia University, Copyright@2012 Help Desk.

But, according to the IITS Officials, scammers dispatch bulk phishing e-mails to specific users in anticipation that a few people at the minimum among those who get the e-mail will answer with their private details. Disturbingly, phishers frequently target Concordia because of the numerous account owners it maintains.

However, for minimizing the possibilities regarding getting victimized with fake electronic mails like the above-mentioned kind, IITS specialists outline certain red flags. These are: Universities, banks or other lawful financial institutions won't ever request for users' password or account information. Incase an e-mail message asks the user for providing any personal information, as within the above instance, then that message most probably is false. Further, such a message shouldn't be answered nor any of its web-links clicked. Rather users must go directly to the organization's website, like Concordia website within the above instance, and look for its contact e-mail id, alternatively call the institution.

Additionally, the phishing or fake message will frequently attempt at hastening the recipient into replying by creating some fear, like the loss of one's account from the e-mail service of Concordia University, outline the IITS specialists.

Conclusively, phishers attacking the Concordia University isn't the only case during the recent period. Oklahoma State University; California State University, Northridge; and the United States Information Technology Department too were reported as being targeted with phishing e-mail campaigns during March 2012, 1st week.

Related article: Concordia University Blocked Use of Facebook

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